Washington (CNN) – In her first "Meet the Press" appearance since her use of Benghazi “talking points” set off a political firestorm in 2012, National Security Adviser Susan Rice was asked point-blank whether she has any regrets about her involvement in informing the public of developments regarding the violence before, during and after the attacks on a U.S. post in Libya.

(CNN) - Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham has decided to sign up for federal health care coverage in the South Carolina exchange, rather than through the Washington, D.C., exchange where he would qualify for a federal subsidy offered to both lawmakers and congressional aides.

"I don't think members of Congress should get a special deal," Graham said in a press release.FULL POST

(CNN) – Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's criticism of the Affordable Care Act may come back to haunt him in the next year's midterm race, according to Steve Beshear, the Democratic governor of McConnell's home state of Kentucky.

"I have a U.S. Senator who keeps saying Kentuckians don't want this. Well, the facts don't prove that out," the Governor said at Thursday's Democratic House Leaders caucus meeting on Obamacare.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - House Democratic leaders Tuesday sought to show party solidarity by continuing to blame congressional Republicans, specifically House Speaker John Boehner, for the partial government shutdown.

Following a caucus leadership meeting, Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly compared Boehner's influence over the House to a 19th century monarch.

Washington (CNN) - On Day Four of the shutdown, the White House sought to distance itself from a quote that depicted a celebratory Obama administration with a strategic upper hand.

White House spokesman Jay Carney responded to a Politico reporter asking if he stands by a quote published by The Wall Street Journal that cites a senior administration official as saying: "We are winning...It doesn't really matter to us" how long the shutdown lasts "because what matters is the end result."FULL POST

WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Obama blasted Republicans Saturday evening for risking a government shutdown in their effort to defund Obamacare saying, “It is time for these folks to stop governing by crisis."

(CNN) – It was a homecoming for former President George H.W. and former first lady Barbara Bush at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. on Monday where they joined President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, in presenting the Points of Light honor for extraordinary work in community service.

The Points of Light Foundation, now the world's largest service organization coordinating volunteer projects, started during the Bush administration. The 41st president serves as the non-partisan, non-profit foundation's honorary chairman and his son, Neil Bush, is the president.FULL POST

(CNN) - Illinois became the last state in the nation to allow the carrying of concealed weapons in public on Tuesday.

Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat, vetoed the legislation, but the Illinois General Assembly overrode the governor. The law allows the state to distribute permits for the carrying of firearms in public if applicants meet certain requirements.FULL POST